admin
Collin Matiza Sports Editor
AN international flavour has been added to this Sunday’s fifth round of the Bogwheelers Club National Motocross Championship series with the news that two of South Africa’s top riders, Joshua and Jonathan Mlimi, will grace this event at Donnybrook Park Raceway in Harare.
The Mlimi brothers, who compete in the seniors MX1 and MX2 classes, will be joined by another South African dirt bike rider Kabelo Lidwaba as guest riders at Sunday’s race meeting. The three South African riders are traveling to Harare at the invitation of Zimbabwe’s champion rider Emmanuel Bako.
Bako’s father and manager, Brighton “Bucks” Bako, confirmed the latest developments to Zimpapers Sports yesterday.
“As you know the Mlimis hosted Emmanuel when he was preparing to race in the 2023 South Africa Dirt Bike Festival at Legends Adventure Farm just outside Pretoria about two weeks ago.
“In fact, the Mlimis have been friends with Emmanuel for a number of years now and they have always invited him to train with them whenever he crosses to South Africa.
“Emmanuel and the Mlimi brothers are now like a family or blood brothers and as a way of saying ‘thank you’ to them, he (Emmanuel) has invited them to race at this Sunday’s race meeting at Donnybrook and they have accepted the invitation.
“So, it’s confirmed that they will be the guest riders at this event with another South African rider Kabelo Lidwaba who races in the 65cc Class,” the flamboyant Brighton Bako said.
Veteran local motocross rider and administrator, Trevor Thixton, also confirmed that the Mlimis will grace Sunday’s race meeting at Donnybrook.
And when contacted by Zimpapers Sports yesterday, one of the Mlimi brothers, Joshua, confirmed that they will be making their way to Harare to compete in Sunday’s race meeting at Donnybrook where he has promised some fireworks.
“Yes, it is true that we will be racing at Donnybrook on Sunday.
“Zimbabwean motocross fans can expect racing at the highest level as we compete with Zimbabwe’s best riders. There will be lots of action taking place so it is not an event to miss,” Joshua said. And it will be the presence of the Mlimi brothers that will bring more excitement to this Sunday’s fifth of the six-round Bogwheelers Club National Motocross Championship series at Donnybrook. In fact, the Mlimi brothers are no strangers to the local motocross racing scene as they have graced the season-ending Zimbabwe Summer Series, that is held annually in December at Donnybrook, on a number of occasions.
Sons of Eury Mlimi, Joshua (25) and Jono (Jonathan) are making a name for themselves in the motocross racing fraternity.
According to the Rekord, Joshua and Jono are following in their father Eury’s footsteps as motocross racers.
Eury is a former professional motocross racer and has been involved in the sport for many years. Joshua and Jono started riding motocross at a young age. They both have a passion for the sport, and they have been very successful. Joshua has won two South African National titles, and Jono has won four.
The Mlimi brothers are sponsored by major brands in South Africa, and they travel internationally to compete in major motocross events. They are also in the process of building an academy to give back to the sport.
Joshua and Jono are proud of their achievements and are excited to see what the future holds for them. They are both determined to continue competing at the highest level, and they hope to one day represent South Africa at the Olympics.
“Motocross has taken me away from a normal life, but in return, has taught me so many lessons that I apply in my daily life,” said Joshua. “The lessons you learn in the sport can be applied in almost every aspect of your life.”
And on Sunday, the Mlimi brothers are expected to spice-up the fifth round of the Bogwheelers Club National Motocross Championship series at Donnybrook Park Raceway in Harare.
It will be interesting to see how local riders will handle these two talented South African dirt bike competitors in the senior MX1 and MX2 classes.
Local motocross fans should expect some high octane of racing on Sunday.
Prominent Harare businessman Scott Sakupwanya, whose company Better Brands Jewelry are now one of the major sponsors of motocross in this country, will be among the guests of honour during Sunday’s race meeting at Donnybrook.
Sakupwanya’s two sons — Mudiwa (10) and Judah (8) — are now into motocross racing after they were introduced to this exciting sport by Emmanuel Bako’s father, Brighton, last year and they will be part of the proceedings on Sunday at Donnybrook.
There will be full bar and catering; and entry fee has been pegged at US$5 per person for the spectators while children under the age of eight will get in for free.
Racing on Sunday starts at 9am.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter